RADFORD, Va. - Radford will get their second look at Hampton, on senior day tomorrow March 7th at 2:00 p.m. The Highlanders are seeking redemption for the loss at the hands of the Pirates on January 9th (48-51), as well as the two-seed in the upcoming Big South Women's Basketball Championship starting on March 10th - 15th.
Radford (16-12, 14-5 BSC) withstood a second half surge by UNC Asheville (15-19, 9-10 BSC) on Wednesday night, en route to a 73-66 victory. A quartet of free throws from Khiana Johnson, Makaila Wilson, and Sydney Nunley came in clutch to put distance between the Highlanders and the Bulldogs in the waning moments of the contest. Radford entered the half leading UNC Asheville by ten points, 36-26. The shots had been falling for the Highlanders who were led by Nunley's eight points, being 4-for-4 from the field in her five minutes played. Radford as a team was shooting 41.9 percent from the floor and 88.9 percent from the charity stripe, with a pair of made three-pointers.
The Bulldogs responded in the third period outscoring the Highlanders 19-14.
UNC Asheville went to the free throw line twice during a time where Radford was struggling through a scoring drought. It lasted until the 40 second mark where Johnson's big-time free throws added a four-point cushion, at 67-63. Zip Scott raced down the other end and drained an on time three ball to get right back within striking distance, at 67-66. The Highlanders' defense held while the offense had Wilson, Nunley, and Johnson all drain free throws to complete the 73-66 victory. The Bulldogs were able to tie the game four times but were unable to ever take the lead. Pacing UNC Asheville was Dengokl who posted 21 points through her 35 minutes played, and adding six rebounds.
Radford had three in double digit scoring with Johnson's 16 points. She was accompanied by Nunley's 14 and McClean's 11. Johnson made the most out of her six trips to the charity stripe, making each take. She was 6-fot-6 from the line, had six rebounds, a steal, and several assists.
The Highlanders shot a season-high 94.7 percent from the charity stripe, going 18-for-19 overall.
Last time these teams faced off Hampton bested Radford down the stretch. After what seemed like a foregone conclusion, Radford's fourth quarter push trimmed the Hampton lead to just one thanks to a pair of free throws from Bryonna McClean. The Pirates (8-6, 4-1 Big South) eventually pulled away late in the quarter to hold off the Highlanders (4-9, 2-2 Big South) to a 51-48 finish.
Radford entered that stanza trailing Hampton 43-35. The defensive pressure in this quarter mimicked that of the second half from High Point, as the Highlanders started to make a dent in the Pirate lead. On a dish from Makaila Wilson in the paint, Aiden Rainford notched yet another basket, to make the game 43-40 with about seven minutes remaining.
The aforementioned McClean free throws came in clutch as Hampton's Laren VanArsdale missed her next take. The Highlanders capitalized off of that mishap and Ngwafang went to work on the low block. This gave Radford a one-point advantage over Hampton at 44-43, 5:15.
A three-pointer from Ashley Bates allowed them to retake the premature Highlander lead, only by two. Rainford's next basket tied the game at 46 all, followed by a Khiana Johnson fastbreak layup that pushed Radford ahead by a pair of points. A Hampton layup evened the game up at 48 and a few missed offensive opportunities forced Radford to foul late in the game in an attempt to save clock.
Heading into halftime, Hampton had the edge on Radford at 29-23.
This game down the stretch had six lead changes and several times where the score was tied. Points in the paint were tied for both teams at 28. The Pirates made the most of their caused turnovers, posting 20 points via Radford miscues.
Hampton had three in double digits led by Ashley Bates with 16 points, Nylah Young with 14 points and VanArsdale at 13.
Ngwafang quietly notched the third double-double of the season and her career tonight. She patrolled the painted area, finishing with 11 points and 16 rebounds.
Khiana Johnson, Ngwafang, and Rainford all ended the game with 10 or more points for Radford.
A Radford win would secure the No.2 seed and host the "Pod B" for the Big South Women's Basketball Championship, give the Highlanders the season series split at 1-1, extend the winning streak to four games.
A Radford loss would give Hampton the season series sweep, increase the Pirate's win streak to seven games, secure the No.2 seed and host the "Pod B" for the Big South Women's Basketball Championship.
In NCAA DI women's basketball, Radford as a team cracks the top-100 in fewest fouls at 84th, 47th in field-goal percentage defense, 99th in personal fouls per game, 77th in rebound margin, 78th in rebounds per game, and 43rd in scoring defense. Khiana is 79th in assists and 85th in assists per game. Sydney is 179th in rebounds per game. Makaila is 157th in three-point field goals per game. Amele is 38th in free throw attempts, 90th in free throws made, 144th in rebounds, and 142nd in rebounds per game.
In the Big South, Khiana is 13th in scoring, fourth in assists, and seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio. Aiden is 11th in offensive rebounds. Makaila is first in three-point field goal percentage and sixth in three-point field goals made. Sydney is 18th in scoring, second in field goal percentage, fifth in rebounding, ninth in blocked shots, ninth in offensive rebounds, and fourth in defensive rebounds. Amele is 30th in scoring, tied for second in rebounding, 14th in free throw percentage, second in offensive rebounds and 11th in defensive rebounds.
Since their first game against Radford, Hampton has played 14 games. The Pirates have gone 10-4 during that span with their latest victory at Campbell, 49-40.
A stellar defensive effort on Wednesday night gave the Hampton Lady Pirates a huge 49-40 win over league-leading Campbell in a key Big South Conference matchup. Laren VanArsdale led Hampton with 18 points while Ashley Bates added 16 points. The Pirates, while being out-rebounded 35-27, held a big free throw advantage going 18-for-23 from the line (78.3%) with Campbell going 4-for-6 (66.7%).
UP NEXT
Radford will enter the Big South Women's Basketball tournament with a first round bye, picking up play on Thursday, March 12th.
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